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Differences within the trade unions and clash between the government and the Communist Party in Greece caused delay in the beginning of the reform dialogue for the insurance system. The meeting between Minister Loverdos and the trade union representatives yesterday did not take place, because trade union Communist party members blocked the entrance of the building, where the meeting was to take place.

Because yesterday’s meeting did not take place, this morning the meeting between the Labor Minister and representatives of the Trade and Industrialists Union, was cancelled. It is expected that the dialogue will reopen tomorrow and the meetings with the Minister will take place in the parliament, so that they cannot be disturbed.

Minister Loverdos accused the Communist Party that it is preventing the conduct of negotiations. Mr. Panagopoulos – chairman of the Syndicate Confederation evaluated the position of the communist union members as unlawful and undemocratic. “It is as if in a democratic country you have to ask permission for dialogue, in order to negotiate,” is outraged Mr. Panagopoulos.

In regards to the blockades, which prevented the meeting to take place, Minister Loverdos said that “a party to forbid a dialogue is very serious. We will leave them to be judged by the Greek people. It is wrong to stress on the problem and not on the solution”.

The Labor Ministry has decided that only one topic at a time will be discussed on the meetings with the trade union leaders – for example tax evasion – and the ministry and the social partners will be expected to make propositions.

The Chamber of Traders and Industrialists offers to decrease insurance payments for employers and employees, personalized pension according to made payments and cancelling the retirement age limitation. This system is applied successfully in Sweden and Italy, add representatives from the Chamber.